Multi channel connector

ABSTRACT

Multi channel connector for transmission means, preferably optical fiber ends, diodes or the like, equipped with lenses. The connector comprises two connector parts shaped for cooperation with at least one centering means for the centering of the transmission means. The centering means are respectively male and female shaped. The transmission means are each located in a related holder in both connector parts. Each holder has in limited extent radial mobility as well as axial mobility against the action of a spring in one for each connector part arranged respective channel, so that each holder is self-centering independent of the other holders.

The present invention refers to a multi channel connector forcoupling-up the end portions of an in coupled up position opposite eachother situated transmission means, such as preferably optical fiberends, provided with lenses, diodes or the like, and which connectorincludes two connector parts, shaped for cooperation with a male and afemale respectively shaped centering means for each of the transmissionmeans for coaxial guiding and fixation of each transmission meansregardless of the other transmission means.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known multi channel connectors of above mentioned type requires veryhigh tolerances when manufacturing the closed parts, and then inparticularly the case of the connector parts and linings, where theparallelism between the control hole for the transmission means to theoptical fibers, the diode or the like must be within 0,001 mm, as wellas the control hole and guide-pin for centering of connector amongthemselves. Further, the right angle between the end-surfaces of theconnector parts and the longitudinal axis of the guiding holes must liewithin ±0,002 mm, as well as the partition between the control hole andthe guide pin respectively.

In order not to let the transmission means be able to change position,these are fastened permanently in the case of the connector parts bymeans of, for example forced fit. This implies that if the transmissionmeans should be defective, these can not be exchanged, but the wholemulti channel connector must be discarded and replaced with a new one.

Through the German Patent Specification No. 2743626, it is known that anumber of optical fibers can be coupled up by means of a connectordevice. A problem with this connector device is, that the optical fibersconsist of extremely thin fibres, with sizes of some micrometers.Because of this, it is extremely important that the centering isabsolutely exact, since even very little deviations entails that thefiber ends lie side by, ie. they are not coaxial. When a number offibers are placed in one channel, as it is the case with theabove-mentioned invention, a poor centering is obtained.

THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a connector of thetype mentioned by way of introduction, where the high demands for exactcentering of the fiber end portions are fulfilled with appreciablesimpler and cheaper means than earlier, where an exchange of in theconnector part closed components, such as transmission means, is easilyaccomplished, and which connector is formed so that standard componentspresent on the market can be used. Further, it is possible to place theend portions of the optical fibers and one or more LED:s, forcooperation with optical fibers, in one and same connector, and in onehand attain a accurate centering for all in a connector closed opticalfibers and in the other attain that the holders consisting of twoconnector parts, in coupled up position, with their end surfaces come tobearing on each other, which further improves the coaxiality.

These problems are solved by placing the transmission means in the bothconnector parts in each belonging holder, which is limited extent has aswell radial mobility as, by means of a spring, an axial mobility in eachor connector parts arranged channels, so that each holder isself-centering regardless of the other holders.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained closer hereinafter with reference to theenclosed drawings, which show an embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows in enlarged scale section through two connector parts of amulti channel connector, according to the invention, whereby both of theconnector parts are slightly pulled apart from each other.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of one of the connector parts shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a centering-cone, contained in the holder.

FIG. 4 shows a section along the line IV--IV in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows partly in section a complete housing or a multi channelconnector, but without holder and transmission means.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The connector according to the invention consists of two connector parts11a and 11b, which in a way previously known are insertable in eachother and by means of a nut 12 fixable in theirs coupled-up position.Each of the connector part 11 is provided with a number of axialchannels 13, in which a holder 14, with some play is inserted for eachtransmission device 15, via a centering one 16. The transmission means15 can have the shape of a plug, in which the end portion of a opticalfibre is situated, so that the end-surface of the fiber, coincide withone front end-surface of the plug. The transmission means 15 can also bea transmitter or a receiver for a diode 17.

The holder 14 is provided with a shoulder 18, which bears on acorresponding ledge 19 in the channel 13. The holder 14 is kept in itsinserted position by means of a spring 20, which rests against apressable holder-on 21, which is screwed-on by the connector part'sposterior end surface. Thus it is possible, by means of the spring 20,to axially displace the holder 14 within the channel 13. Besides, theplay between the holder and the channel is so high, that the holder canperform a limited radial motion.

The transmission mean 15 is centered in the holder 14 with thecentering-cone 16, the conic form of which corresponds the conicaloutlet 30 of the socket formed holder 14. Even the centering-cone hasthe shape of a socket and is provided with elastic sectors 22,consisting of material-reduced axial portions 23, which is apparent fromthe figures 3 and 4. The inner outlet 31 of the centering-cone is shapedin accordance to external form of the transmission means, ie. it hascylindrical form. Further, the transmission means 15 is provided with aperipheral flange 24, which forms the contact surface for a compressionspring 25, purpose of which is to press the forward end-surface of thetransmission means to bear on an opening 26 in a seat 27, which isprovided at the front end of the holder 14. The seat 27 takes up a lens28, the center axis of which coincides with the central longitudinalaxis of the transmission means 15.

In the joined position of the connector parts 11a, 11b, one of theconnector parts 11a of the transmission means 15 will be positionedright opposite to a corresponding transmission means 15 in the otherconnector part 11b, and to accomplish an exact coaxial coupling-upbetween the transmission means 15 in the both connector parts 11a and11b, in one of the connector parts, for example 11b, the holders 14upper end portion is provided with a guide-sleeve 31, which by means offorced-fit is permanently attached to the holder. The other holder 14 ofthe connector part 11a does not have a similar guide-sleeve, but it ishowever formed with a guide 32, which working-fit can be inserted in theguide-sleeve 31, so that the both holders with their transmission means15 will be situated in exact coaxial position. Each individual holder 14with transmission means 15 can consequently independently of the otherholders in some coupling part in pairs be centered relative the otherholder in the pair, which is possible by the holders being not rigidlyfixed in each coupling part, but having a certain radial as well asaxial mobility.

REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

11a, b connector parts

12 nut

13 channel

14 holder--cylindric socket

15 transmission means

16 centering-cone

17 diode

18 shoulder

19 ledge

20 spring

21 holder-on

22 elastic sectors

23 material-reduced axial parts

24 peripheral flange

25 compression spring

26 opening

27 seat

28 lens

29 conical outlet in the holder

30 cylindrical outlet in the centering-cone

31 guide-sleeve

32 guide

We claim:
 1. A multi-channel connector for coupling first and secondfiber optic transmission means comprising:a pair of mating connectingparts, each including a body; each body having a front and a back enddefining a longitudinal axis therebetween and having a channel extendinglongitudinally therethrough parallel to said axis, each body furtherincluding:a tubular holder mounted within said channel having a lensseat adjacent said front end of said body, said holder has an innerconical surface tapering towards said lens and each said connecting partfurther includes a centering cone substantially complementary with saidtapered surface of said holder positioned within said holder, saidtransmission means being positioned within said centering cone in axialalignment with said holder; a lens positioned within said lens seat; atransmission means, having a front end, mounted within said holder withsaid front end adjacent said lens, and a first spring operativelyarranged within said holder to urge said front end of said transmissionmeans towards said lens; and means on the front end of each of saidbodies adapted cooperatively to mate with each other and to retain saidbodies with said channels in axial alignment.
 2. A connector accordingto claim 1 wherein said first spring is positioned within said centeringcone.
 3. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said centering-coneis formed with elastic, peripheral sectors, consisting of relativelythinner axially extending parts, which are deformable.
 4. Amulti-channel connector for coupling first and second transmission meanscomprising:a pair of mating connecting parts, each including a body;each body having a front and a back end defining a longitudinal axistherebetween and having a channel extending longitudinally therethroughparallel to said axis, each body further including:a tubular holdermounted within said channel having a lens seat adjacent said front endof said body, the holder having an inner conical surface taperingtowards said front end of said body; a first and a second spring, saidsecond spring being operatively arranged between said body and saidholder to urge said holder towards said front end of said body; a lenspositioned within said lens seat; a transmission means, having a frontend, mounted within said holder with said front end thereof adjacentsaid lens, said first spring being operatively arranged within saidholder to urge said front end of said transmission means towards saidlens; a centering cone substantially complementary with said taperedsurface of said holder positioned within said holder, said transmissionmeans being positioned within said centering cone in axial alignmentwith said holder; and a guide sleeve on one of said connecting parts anda guide on the other of said connecting parts adapted to engage and tomaintain said front ends of said connecting parts in close proximitywith the respective channels thereof in axial alignment and thereby saidtransmission means in axial alignment.